Distance Calculation: Lightning and Thunder
This problem requires calculating the distance to a storm based on the time delay between seeing lightning and hearing thunder.
Understanding the Physics
Light travels extremely fast ($3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$), so the time it takes to see the lightning flash is negligible. The $10\text{ s}$ time difference is almost entirely due to the time it takes for the sound (thunder) to travel the distance from the storm.
Distance Formula
The distance ($d$) can be calculated using the formula:
$ d = v \times t $
Where $v$ is the speed and $t$ is the time.
Applying the Values
For this calculation, we use the speed of sound and the given time elapsed:
- Speed of sound ($v_s$): $330\text{ m/s}$
- Time elapsed ($t$): $10\text{ s}$
Calculating the Distance
Substitute the values into the formula:
$ d = 330\text{ m/s} \times 10\text{ s} $
$ d = 3300\text{ m} $
Conclusion
The storm is approximately $3300\text{ m}$ away.
Important Questions from Physics
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Lightning occur in the sky when two clouds:
With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps?
1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.
2. As street lights, sodium lamps have a longer life span than LED lamps.
3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street lighting.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?
In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following?
1. Area of the hole in the lid
2. Temperature of the flame
3. Weight of the lid
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
